The Jags won their sixth straight game and first in franchise history against a 12-win opponent entering Week 16 or later. A dominant win will certainly attract attention, but Coen is fine if his club continues to be overlooked.
“We don’t care. We really don’t care about the narrative,” he said. “I’m sorry to say it, but it only helps us. So I want the narrative to keep coming.”
To quote a wise woman: “You can’t let a newbie come in and steal the show.”
Coen is clever at using any slight, perceived or otherwise, to keep his team fueled. Teams have competed on this underdog mentality deep into the postseason. The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles famously donned dog masks after victories to highlight their status on the road to an eventual Super Bowl title.
Trevor Lawrence is hot and has his fourth straight game with two plus touchdowns and no turnovers. On Sunday, he had 279 carries and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Like his coach, the QB is okay with being overlooked.
“Hopefully we don’t get any,” Lawrence said of the national attention. “So, everybody out there, just keep going. This is great.”
Sunday’s win snapped the Broncos’ 11-game winning streak and kept the Jags atop the AFC South. Jacksonville will clinch a playoff spot if the 49ers beat the Colts on Monday night. Next Gen Stats gives the Jags an 82% chance to win the division with two weeks to play.
As the tournament approaches, the Jaguars want to continue flying under the radar.
“Everybody in this Jaguars locker room, even up there, we know everybody’s probably going to try to jump on that bandwagon right now, but we don’t want anybody,” defensive end Travon Walker said in the Jaguars’ postgame show. “They can stay where they are. We are. It’s all about the Jags.
“F— everyone but us. Excuse my language, Dad, Grandma, but f— everyone but us.”